Volkswagen scandal: Govt asks ARAI to inspect India-spec models

The spillover of the Volkswagen AG scandal in the US has finally reached the Indian shores. 

After stating that the situation was being closely monitored, the government has now asked for a probe into possible violation of norms by Volkswagen India. 

The government has asked the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) to start an investigation into the matter.

Volkswagen AG has been allegedly found guilty of flouting stringent US emission norms by equipping millions of its Type EA 189 diesel-powered cars with, what is being called a 'defect device'. A defect device would temporarily lower emissions when it detected that it was being inspected. Emissions would then return to a much higher level, allowing the car to perform better when driven.

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Volkswagen has said that over 11 million of the vehicles under its umbrella are fitted with the device worldover. The US Environmental Protection Agency (or EPA), revealed the scandal after nearly five years of investigations. Volkswagen may be fined with penalties upto $18 billion.

VW's CEO Martin Winterkorn has stepped down, expressing his shock over the magnitude of the problem.